President, Chief Executive
Banc of California

Wolff oversees Banc of California, now the third-largest bank in Los Angeles after its merger with PacWest last year. He is involved in a number of organizations, including the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, the CEO Council of Los Angeles, the Board of Trustees of de Toledo High School and the Young Presidents’ Organization. A native Angeleno, Wolff has worked across other local banking institutions including City National and PacWest. Wolff received a B.A. from Duke University, a M.A. in French Language and Literature from Middlebury College and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

What’s the best advice you ever got?
From my older brother: It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

What’s the best thing about living in Los Angeles? As a banker, the best thing about living in Los Angeles is that this city is the heartbeat of business in California. We have more than 460,000 small businesses here, which make up an incredible 99% of all businesses in L.A. These companies and the entrepreneurs behind them create jobs and are truly the backbone of the economy. It’s a great city, and I’m proud I can call myself a native Angeleno. My wife and I grew up in Los Angeles, and we raised our children here. There’s so much opportunity.

YEARS ON LA500: 5